Dozens detained in Moscow at rally of Russian soldiers' wives: rights group

Members of the women’s movement “Way Home”, including activist Maria Andreeva, demanding the return of their husbands who joined the Russian armed forces involved in a military campaign in Ukraine, stand surrounded by police officers during a gathering in central Moscow, Russia, February 3, 2024.| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Dozens of people were detained by police in central Moscow on Saturday at a rally protesting against Russia's mobilisation of men to fight in Ukraine, a human rights group said.

At least 27 people were detained as a group representing the wives of mobilised soldiers gathered at the Kremlin wall to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument, said OVD-Info, which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia.

Most of the detained were journalists, it added, saying later that some of the people were let go.

A number of people were also detained at other locations in central Moscow, OVD-Info said.

A growing movement of Russian women is demanding the return from the front of their husbands, sons and brothers who were mobilised after a decree by President Vladimir Putin in September last year.

The Moscow prosecutor's office said that the rally hadn't been coordinated with the authorities, issuing a warning about calling and participating in unauthorised mass events. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Toby Chopra)